2010 NEFFA Events

19th c. French Quadrille -- Saturday 6:00pm Middle School Auditorium

Come to enjoy dancing some original early French Quadrille (formerly called Cotillon) that crossed the Channel after Napoleon s defeat. Come to discover "Le Quadrille" dance "ˆ la mode" in all Europe and even in the colonies ... during almost all the 19th century.

We're celebrating our 50th anniversary by doing a song swap that features songs from each of the past five decades: 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's.

No walk-thru contras called in succession, for experienced dancers only!! This session is for VERY experienced dancers!

English dancing in its variety: old and new, lively and lovely, flowing and festive!

Explore tango essentials and how to create a special connection in one's dance.

Come learn 5-count, 8-count, and 11-count waltzes from the French bal-folk tradition.

Many of Atanas Kolarovski's dances aren't well known except by those who specialized in learning them well. I would like to share some dances that are in the Hartford group's repertoire that other dancers of New England would enjoy.

Music for dance from Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia...

Balkan and Rom (Gypsy) folk dances with music by Rakiya

Ballads about pregnancy and childbirth.. and the subsequent complications.

Barry Finn lived his life making friends, singing, laughing and sharing his exuberance with everyone. His unanticipated death in October was felt deeply by all who knew him. This tribute, hosted by singing friends from Gloucester, invites friends of Barry to come share songs in his memory.

Let's get together and through the magic of music be With the Beatles for a brief period of time.

This discussion session considers some of the big themes related to traditional music and dance. Our focus this year: Connection. Meet with others who care deeply about such themes. Join the conversation !

Mostly traditional songs and tunes that feature our feathered friends.

ShoreGrass sings old classics, contemporary songs and originals, accompanying themselves on banjo, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, bass and Dobro. Think traditional bluegrass, folk, old-time, gospel, early country. Known for their humor and "bluegrass with attitude."

This trio backs its vocal harmonies with guitars, mandolin, bass, and banjo, playing blues, bluegrass, country and old-time music...

Mouth harp, jews harp, maultrommel, doromb, munnharpa, khomus, dan moi. Whatever you call them, mouth-resonated instruments are ancient, diverse, and fun. Demonstration and presentation followed by show-and-tell and jamming. If you have one, bring it. If not, try one and enjoy the show.

Julian Baptista is a Salem area musician with a Passion for traditional music. This event will incorporate many well known and lesser known music from the British Isles. Singing, dancing, and clapping along will be an important part of this concert.

For duet newbies and pros. Lyrics and duet parts taught for Everly, Louvin, Delmore and other great brother duet acts.

Men's Bulgarian singing with accompaniment on traditional instruments

Enjoy authentic village-style music while you dance to Boston's Friendly Neighborhood Bulgarian Band. This is a _party_ so teaching's at a minimum, but we'll help you get started if you need it.

Simple Bulgarian line dances with music by Zornitsa, a men's Bulgarian singing group.

Bring an instrument! Sight read Bulgarian Music (unusual rhythms)!

An in depth presentation of the poems of C. Fox Smith that have been adapted into the maritime tradition by the addition of music.. also will include those sea songs that she personally collected.

College students, this one is for you. Love NEFFA and want to know what more you can do to support the Festival? Want to meet some younger members of the NEFFA Board and hear what they do? Wondering how you can ask your college to pay for you to come to NEFFA? Come get the answers to these questions and more!

Join the Cats for a concert featuring some favorites from their regular gigs. Drawing from all genres, you might be at a bluegrass festival, an Irish pub, a contra dance, a folk concert or anywhere in-between.

Come join us for an illustrated look at the work done on sailing ships while singing different kinds of shanties. We will project drawings by Stan Hugel from his book Shanties of the Seven Seas while leading shanties with, of course, choruses.

Add your voice, harmony, or ear to refrains, as we leap, linger, and laugh with some of our favorite songs from Scotland, Ireland, and across the pond.

Songs from both Union and Confederate songwriters, detailing the heroic, tragic, and humorous aspects of the conflict, performed in costume and on period instruments--with opportunites for chorus singing!

Good songs cheap. Family silliness encouraged.

Alan will teach the basics of playing the 5-string banjo in the southern old-time clawhammer style. At least one tune will be taught.

All voices, styles, instruments and musical orientations welcome!

Young and old, tall and small, moving to music and dancing for all, up to the middle and walk round the hall, hey diddle diddle, fun dances for all!

How to enjoy popular but not always taught figures, diagonals and other fun aspects of intermediate level contras.

No walk-thru contras called in succession, for experienced dancers only!!

No walk-thru contras called in succession, for experienced dancers only!!

No walk-thru contras called in succession, for experienced dancers only!!

No walk-thru contras called in succession, for experienced dancers only!! This session is for VERY experienced dancers!

Basics of back-up New England contra dance piano from the Johnny Trombly tradition.

Dave & Chris will lead a slow jam of tunes commonly played for contra dancing. Players of all instruments & levels welcome.

Contra(-style) dances that English dancers may like, plus English(-style) dances that contra dancers may like, plus mixed style hybrids!

Zesty modern contras, each co-written by a group of at least five composers.

Lively and Lovely Croatian Dances for everyone!

Croatian "non-dance" music to listen to and perhaps even sing-along on the chorus!

Czech dancing for all.

Contras and squares from a versatile and inventive leader and choreographer, often called the Dean of New England Callers.

Let's just dance and have fun.

Gospel gems -- Rousing, beautiful, sentimental

Local tunes are fresher and better for you. We will play tunes written by us and our friends in the Berkshires. Recording devices are allowed.

A variety of excellent rounds -- funny, beautiful, clever, easy, challenging, old and new.

Interactive song, movement and stories are incorporated in a rollicking mix of comedy and music for all ages. With his sparkling energy, wit and whimsy, Jackson is sure to tickle your heart and warm your funny bone.

For Children 5 and older and their families! Lots of fun for everyone!

Dances from around the world for everyone!

Dance your socks off- Swallowtail will choose from their favorite dance tunes and favorite contradances. We'll emphasize fun while dancing with our elbows in.

These sessions have become a true NEFFA tradition! Contra and square dancing to the music of a Contra dance band consisting of many Festival participants -- open to all! If you'd like to join the band, there is no need to pre-register. Just show up with instrument in hand, and play! Conductors and lead musicians will be picking tunes from The Portland Collection and the New England Fiddler's Repertoire, both of which will be available to the Orchestra.

These sessions have become a true NEFFA tradition! Contra and square dancing to the music of a Contra dance band consisting of many Festival participants -- open to all! If you'd like to join the band, there is no need to pre-register. Just show up with instrument in hand, and play! Conductors and lead musicians will be picking tunes from The Portland Collection and the New England Fiddler's Repertoire, both of which will be available to the Orchestra.

These sessions have become a true NEFFA tradition! Contra and square dancing to the music of a Contra dance band consisting of many Festival participants -- open to all! If you'd like to join the band, there is no need to pre-register. Just show up with instrument in hand, and play! Conductors and lead musicians will be picking tunes from The Portland Collection and the New England Fiddler's Repertoire, both of which will be available to the Orchestra.

Old time,Eastern European,and swing fiddle tunes and songs.

Brian intertwines a classic finger style rhythmic guitar playing into his creations of original folk and blues along with a selection of some of the great traditional and contemporary folk and blues artists that have entertained audiences for years.

You'll get hands-on with BB's huge and inviting array of drums and percussion trinkets to play along as he launches the world's most engaging songs and the catchiest beats that the New England Folk Festival has ever heard.Ê

In my mind, the walk-through might be the most important aspect of contra dance leadership. This is a group discussion where we swap ideas about what works and what doesn't. Perceptive dancers are welcome to participate.

John & George share a program of songs, using the songs of Rudyard Kipling as a jumping-off point.

Humorous & novelty songs and Hawaiiana played on the ukulele. Lots of opportunity to sing along. Maybe some guests will appear.

Funny songs, silly songs, and songs to make you laugh.

Scandinavian couple dancing: polka, shottish, waltz, hambo, mazurka, etc.

In this session we will go over some of the research I have done on gender and dance history, including photos and stories, share some ideas around gender-free dance calling, and then open the session to everyone to discuss the philosophy of gender-free calling, how this style of calling and dancing can be useful, share examples how to do it, translating dances, exploring the different styles to pick from and for callers to share their own stories and experiences. I will be providing manuals to borrow in class as a useful guide. These manuals will be the base from which a book will soon be written.

Explore dancing the other role, swapping roles while dancing, and gain insite about the whole dance, rather than just from the perspective of your own position. Some contra dancing experience is suggested. Everyone welcome! We will be using armbands to identify roles.

Three men sing folk and sacred music of Georgia

All a capella, all the time: work songs and chanteys, lullabies and carols, chants and refrains, bits of ballads and snatches - 50 minutes of participatory singing. On your mark - get set - sing out!

A performance of Greek music representing islands and mainland, village and urban music, dances and songs, and a variety of rhythms and modes. Remarks about cultural and/or musical aspects of the tunes. Although this is not nominally a dance event, dancing is allowed - and encouraged.

Hambo the Swedish way, with smooth turns and good balance. It's less work than you thought! Session features careful instruction, frequent partner changes, and instructors who will dance with as many participants as possible.

A unique blending of the two different dulcimers, playing traditional, original and contemporary songs and tunes. Audience "Q and A" will be welcomed during the performance for demonstrating differences and commonalities between the two instrunments.

Low-down songs of hard times and blues - "St. James Infirmary", "Come In My Kitchen", "Stealin'", etc.; leavened by uplifting sing-along spirituals with sweet harmonies - "A Closer Walk with Thee" and, well, "Hard Times Come Again No More".

We love arranging and singing songs with great harmonies, ranging from the Carter family to Irving Berlin to Iz. Lots of them have great choruses for you to sing along with us.

Our pols is uneven and borderline, yet so healthy and robust! Featuring dances from the Norwegian/Swedish borderline, including uneven-rhythm pols from the Røros and Finnskog regions, as well as more general favorites: reinlander, waltz, polka, and snoa.

Historical English Country Dances, most in recent, zesty reconstructions by Dancing Master Andrew Shaw. Efficient teaching for maximal dancing.

Contra dances with a weather theme

Hungarian open dancing.

Traditional and tradition-friendly original songs by a folk veteran of four decades.

Eclectic mix of songs, tunes, and spoken word from both traditional and contemporary camps of the Folk World. Lots of humor.

Showing a variety of models, and how to play them.

Lorraine and Bennett Hammond picking and singing some of their favorite old and new American traditional songs and tunes.

New moves and variations for those already familiar with basic cross-step waltz.

A medley, like the contra dance medleys, comprised of favorite international folk dances danced non-stop.

Music for familiar international folk dances announced and played without instruction, Requests from the floor are welcome. Dances will be a mix for all experience levels.

International Folk Dance Party

International (line) dances featuring toes and heels.

Welcome! Enjoy exploring exotic modes and rhythms with your instruments and voices: Greek, Bulgarian, French, Romanian, etc.

Learn basic dances you'll see again and again at folk dances everywhere!

Fun dances from England, for everyone!

Come and join us and learn the basics of contra dance! This will get you started, so you can join in on the fun in the large dance halls.

Come and join us and learn the basics of contra dance! This will get you started, so you can join in on the fun in the large dance halls.

Come on down and learn the ropes in a friendly, fun setting.

Come join us in learning the basics to this wonderful dance tradition!

Come and join us and learn the basics of English Country Dance! This will get you started, so you can join in on the fun in the large dance halls.

Join Laurie and Andy for a fun-filled introduction to ECD!

Easy folk dances that will get you moving on the right (or left!) foot. In honor of Lynn Levine, who taught and nurtured fledgling dancers, musicians and dance teachers for many years in the Hartford, CT area.

Join us for some easy, fun dances!

The easiest couple dance ever invented! 1910s couplde dance with many variations done to great ragtime music.

A brief introduction to schottis basics for beginners, followed by instructions (with demonstrations) in many delightful and easy schottis variations.

Square dances suitable for beginning dancers. Fun to dance,easy to teach.

Zydeco is a spicy partner dance hailing from Southwest Louisiana. Zydeco music emerged from the multiracial Creole population of the late 1800's, and was originally played on the button accorion and washboard. Today, the sound is enriched by elements of Afro-Caribbean music, blues,rock and roll and other genres. This class will introduce you to the fundamental Zydeco moves and encourage your creative, improvisatory spirit to emerge.

We'll do some Irish Set Dancing the way it was done 200 years ago - for FUN! No fancy footwork needed, and no experience. Come join us, and bring a smile!

Irish songs, mostly, with some tunes that traveled across the Atlantic and took root here, and from other sources as well, in the same general vein. A group sing, hopefully with a big a cappella chorus.

Two-Hand Dances and Waltzes have become very popular at Irish Ceilis in recent years. Join us to learn the 'Peeler & the Goat' and other favorites!

Listening to Last Night's Fun is like dropping into an Irish Pub and joining in with the musicians, playing for fun.

Israeli Folk dances with simple patterns taught efficiently and cheerfully. You can do these! No partner needed.

Open to all musicians, singers,and supporters of Italian music. Participants will take turns leading or singing an Italian tune or song of their choice while others sing and play along as they feel appropriate. Folk, pop, opera, and "tenor" songs in the Italian language are welcome.

Come dance traditional dances still being done in the Resia Valley for carnival and other village celebrations.

Come sing with us and play traditional tunes from Italian villages.

Join in on the fun as you peek into childhood in Japan. Listen to the folk tales that give the songs context, play some games, and sing along (no knowledge of Japanese necessary).

From Babylon to the Book of Ruth, the wedding canopy to the wandering Jew, Jewish songs that come from the heart, filled with longing and laughter.

Wild and wacky songs from the Jug Band craze of the 1930s and the 1960s revival. Blues and early jazz played in that fascinatin' jug band style. We ll demonstrate homemade jug band instruments including the jug, washboard, spoons, stovepipe and kazoo. Wow!

Family-inclusive jug band workshop. Band will provide instruments.

Rhonda Hotop (fiddle) teaches melody instrumentalists how to play for the Swedish Hambo. Tune(s) will be taught by ear with music provided at the end.

Demonstration of left and right handed violins and a chance to try out a left handed violin. Bowing and fingering tips for ornamenting left handed fiddle tunes for dances. (also right handed tunes) Bring your fiddle!

Puck is the naughty sprite of Shakspeare's play, but he has a wider history. Come hear the "Hist. of Robin Goodfellow, his Mad Pranks and jests" (a hit 1628 pamphlet), which tells of his birth and adventures, and older tales of the Pwca, Phouka and Hobgoblin.

Original and traditional songs, with some sing-alongs, from a charismatic performer who is befuddled by the fact that the glass half full is also half empty! Her songs will make you laugh at times and also move you to tears. Some NEFFA regulars can be expected to sit in.

A selection of some favorite dances....pleasing to dancers AND the caller!

Hunt Smith and Allison Aldrich will sing and play music of the US, British Isles and Ireland, and beyond. Fiddle, concertina, guitar, mandolin, accordion and more! Sing along, laugh along, and enjoy the unexpected.

After an absence of several years, Jennifer Woods returns to NEFFA, accompanied by her husband, multi-instrumentalist Bob Clayton, with a sampling of traditional and in-the-tradition songs that appeal to a wide audience. Expect some old favorites and a few surprises, too.

Favorite international dances we all learned from Marianne Taylor.

Group singing of songs with maritime connection. Participation and leading of songs by group encouraged. Very lienient definition of "maritime".

Hungarian couple dance from Transylvania. Fun, not easy yet excitingly coupled! Some prior experience with lead-follow type couple dancing would be helpful.

Learn Middle Eastern drumming rhythms on the darabukka/doumbek (the hour-glass shaped drum). We will be practicing a variety of rhythms and techniques, especially as used for folk dancing. Bring your own drums! I have a few extras to use for practice.

Members of the contradance band CoinciDance will lead a discussion and demonstration of how to feel out the mood of a contra dance and adapt music on the fly.

International and Balkan dancing with Shining Moon

A concert of village-style music from Bulgaria (and possibly some of her neighbors). ZDRAVETS uses traditional Bulgarian folk instruments and vocal styles. In this conceert you will hear selections for listening, as well as some of our dance music.

Maggot (n): a whimsical fancy. English dances old and new that are maggots in name or in spirit.

Your favorite couple dance tunes.

Come learn to play the mountain dulcimer! Experienced and total beginners are welcome to learn some basic strumming and dulcimer technique together while playing traditioanl tunes. "Q & A" will be encouraged, and Lucy will share info on the dulcimer's history and playing styles. Extra instruments will be available to share!

This session will make transparent the conversations that bands and callers have when matching dances with tunes. We'll let you in on the decision-making process. Come participate in the discussion, or just come dance some favorite contras to fantastic tunes.

The Native American flute was the primary melodic instrument of the Indians of North America. Almost extinct in the mid-20th century, it has seen a resurgence in recent years. This presentation will survey the history of the Native American flute and its contemporary styles with performances on historic and modern instruments.

Join us to hear about how YOUR NEFFA organization is doing! Meet the Board members, both old and new! Open to ALL!

Music of Parades, Dances and Funerals as Played in NewOrleans in 1910

Sing from a new shape-note tunebook "The Norumbega Harmony". We have rescued old tunes in 4-part harmony from the New England Singing School tradition and have added some new ones, all in the style of "The Sacred Harp" and the old shape-note books.

Squares in which you do not stand around!

A unique vocal band presenting the best of traditional Nordic music, with a contemporary edge. Led by Allen LeVines, ST€MBANDET's captivating sounds and rhythms transcend all language barriers.

The Boston Spelemannslag play hardanger fiddle tunes for Telespringar, Telegangar and Bygdedance forms of traditiomal Norwegian dance. All levels are welcome, no instruction will be given.

Norwegian songs and folk songs, many learned form my immigrant parents in childhood, before I spoke English, with translations and anecdotes about Norwegian History and culture, my family and growing up in America during the Depression and WWII.

Need we say more??

The nyckelharpa (keyed fiddle) is said to be the national instrument of Sweden. You'll hear our of them in one place, playing everything from baroque-ish traditional tunes to exciting new music!

Old time string band tunes and songs played at moderate tempos. Some instruction provided.

Barn dances like Virginia Reel, Paul Jones, Grand March, Tempest, Portland Fancy, for all ages and abilities.

Old time music for all levels

Accessible Greek dances from various regions presented with walk-throughs. Likely dances include both basic widely-known dances (e.g., Tsamikos, Kalamatianos, Syrtos) and regional dances (e.g., Ikariotikos, Leventikos, Omal). The program would include some dances covered in previous years and some new ones.

Based in Phippsburg, ME, the Jumbol'Ayuhs serve up music from Cajun Louisiana with a Downeast accent. Featuring Jim Joseph on accordion, second fiddle, and vocals, and Pam Weeks on lead fiddle and vocals, the Jumbol'Ayuhs play waltzes that tug at your heartstrings and lively two-steps to keep you dancing!

Open sea music sing for all who will, sponsored by www.nechanteysings.com.

Come join this enthusiastic group of singers who love sea shanties. Everyone is encouraged to sing along - no experience needed!

Open story swap lead by an experienced storyteller & story event host. All are welcome: young & old, beginner, intermediate & professional raconteurs. Come spin a yarn, or just relax & listen!

In a small band setting, with smoky wild vocals, fiddle, guitar and bass present the music of the swing era as if it never left. "Sublime phrasing."

A chance to dance to wo nderful live music, whether you are a seasoned tango dancer, or have just learned new skills.

Tales of Outdoor Adventure & Misadventure: Spirited true stories & genuine fabrications, for outdoor & armchair enthusiasts. Camp chair optional.

Parlor songs were family entertainment in the days before recorded music. People would gather at home or after church, playing whatever instruments were handy. Explore songs by Isaac Baker Woodbury, Hattie Nevada, Stephen Foster, Henry Clay Work and others. More 'unpublished' Hattie Nevada songs again. Bring an instrument, your voice, a song.

Participatory playing of klezmer tunes, all instruments, all levels. Sheet music will be provided, including various klezmer forms: hora, bulgar, terkish, sirba, sher, klezmer swing, etc.

Workshop for favorite folk dances in the Philadelphia area with the International Folk Sounds.

Come and enjoy a variety of contemporary and traditional songs of traveling and roaming. The songs are drawn from folk, bluegrass, and bluegrass gospel and accompanied by guitar, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, autoharp, recorder, and stand-up bass. We hope you'll join in on the choruses

Polish dances in 2/4 ime that may or may not have traditional polka steps

In the tradition of Tom Lehrer, Tom Paxton and Phil Ochs, Joel Landy leads this session of political poking and prodding. You are invited to express yourself. Sing along and join the fun!

Ti' Acadie is often referred to as "schizophrenic" - we like to think of it as "eclectic".. French Canadian, Cajun, Old Timey songs and tunes, Sea Chanteys and Maine songs. Lots of three part harmony. You get the idea!

Come to sing full-voiced a capella harmony with singers from Minnesota and Massachusetts. There will be many choruses, with songs mostly from the English and Southern traditions.

Songs of the lure of the railroad, and tales from personal experience." (I mean to read some excerpts from my journals written while hoboeing around the country during '68 - '81

Rascals. Rakes & Ramblers can dismay and sometimes delight us in songs that run the gamut from supernatural ballads to heart-broken blues or quirky broadsides to country calamities.Ê Love them or hate them; come sing about them.

A demonstration of what the AUTOHARP is capable of. From Blues to Bluegrass, to music from around the world.

Learn how to help loved ones with dementia through music--singing, playing, dance, all can help reach the real person even in late stages. A music therapist PhD, a nursing home musician, and a nurse/health researcher/singer provide useful tips, answer questions, and guide meaningful discussion in a workshop setting.

Join us in remembering Sandy, and celebrating the many gifts and talents that he shared with the folk music community.

Revels Teaching Artists host a Play Party full of traditional and contemporary songs and singing games. Adults and children of all ages invited!

A class for guitar players who want to learn elements of Johnson's style. We'll concentrate on just one tune. By the end of class, you'll be able to see and do what the master recorded....

Lovely couple's dances from Romania. Not too fast, not too slow--but lots of fun!

Romanian dances for all.

We will learn interesting new rounds (handouts will be provided) including: Buddies & Pals, These Woods Are Lovely Dark & Deep, Breathe the Air Around You, Behold by Moondog, and others.

A few excellent rounds by Sol & Friends (Rounds Galore Singers) but YOU all get to lead rounds at the BIG JAM. (Or just bring us rounds that may be new to us.) This is YOUR event.

Join us for shape-note singing from the Sacred Harp in the traditional hollow square.

Contras, squares, and reminiscences, honoring Bob McQuillen's many decades of contributions to the New England Folk Festival and the dance community.

Santa Rita is a lively & challenging polka-style couple dance from northern Mexico.

Come sing songs about spaceships, computers, sternwheel trolley cars, hobbits, exploration, and cats. You may recognize some tunes; the others you'll learn. Thanks to the generosity of the songwriters, we'll have free handouts for you to take home and teach to others.

Traditional Scottish Music

General Scottish Country dancing for adults and youth, with walk & talk through instructions. Experience required is ability to move to music and basic knowledge of contra dancing.

Seated square dances are just like any other square dance - except that you are sitting down! Dancers use torso and arm movements that are analogous to traditional dance figures. Fun for all, but particularly for persons with temporary or permanent limitations in their mobility.

Singing School Early New England style. Six simple steps to singing sheet music in shapes. In just 50 minutes, this quick basic primer will have you singing the rich and powerful 4-part harmonies that brought colonial communities together. No experience necessary! Bring your friends and family.

Sometimes simple tunes give the richest music. Come learn ways to enrich simple tunes into your newest favorites.

Singing in harmony is wonderful for your physical, mental, and emotional health. Come sing with Allison Aldrich and members of Animaterra Women's Chorus of New Hampshire as they celebrate with songs of hope, joy, and just plain fun.

An active, participatory song swap for all ages, featuring members of the Children's Music Network's New England region. Fun for all from babies to grandparents!

EC & Orna Ball would have been as popular as any old time singers if they chose to travel. They stayed near home, performing on local radio and at revivals. Like AP Carter, they had an instinct for choosing great songs. Join us in singing some of their most engaging recordings.

Join in singing Carter Family favorites. Some old favorites will sound new again when sung the way AP, Maybelle, and Sara recorded them. We'll also sing some new favorites that remained to be rediscovered, even after 60 years, among the 250+ commercial sides recorded by the Carter Family.

Such well-known songs as Song for Gale, Old Zeb, John, Connecticut Twister, Song for the Bowdoin have become familiar favorites of many repertoires. Here is an oppportunity to hear these and other original songs in Larry's tribute to the enduring spirit of New England.

We're so pleased to bring you a world of song Ð tunes from home and around the world, and some new arrangements of old favorites.Ê Although our "base camp" of global music lies in the Celtic arena, we've spiked our themed concert with beautiful songs presented in English, Spanish, Yiddish, a bit of Irish, Yaruban (Nigeria), and a Russian style lament by Jerree Small.Ê

Iveria is a men's a capella chorus from the Boston area. They perform liturgical and folk songs that reflect the unique three part polyphony and harmonies of traditional Georgian music.

Songs, Tunes, and Humor from the Southern Mountains

I tell stories from traditional sources as well as personal stories enhanced by mime and occasionally by music. Children are welcome but the stories are usually on mature themes.

A medley of stories intended for grownup people (older than 12). Stories are not for children anymore. These stories will remind us all of what it is to be alive.

In a different place, and in a different time, we liked being told stories. In our hearts, we still do. But we are beset by the multiple monsters of jobs, commitments, and all the other demons that accompany adults. Let's swap some stories.

ALL instruments are welcome in this jam! Everyone will have a chance to lead a tune or song with the group. Great experience for all levels. And, it's FUN!

Beautiful music and friendly dancers -- welcoming all to a session of delightful English dances with occasional fun surprises.

New traditional music on twin fiddles, and sometimes twin nyckelharpas. Original dance tunes in Swedish and Norwegian traditional folk styles. Sneak preview of our forthcoming album!

A session of Swedish village polskas with an occasional hambo, schottis, waltz, etc. See how captivating three-quarter rhythm can be!

Bridal marches, wedding polskas, gift-giving tunes and party music from the rich Swedish tradition of soulful, harmonious celebration music. Good enough to make you run to Sweden and get married!

Songs that take us through the many separations in life. Included are songs of parting between lovers, families and friends; songs about leaving a way of life; and gospel tunes that seek a Better Land.

Easy dances to klezmer music, which can be followed with a minimum of teaching. Klezmer is the traditional folk music of Eastern European Jews.Ê Mostly circle dances, and one or two couple dances, such as the freylakhs, bulgar, slow hora, chusidl, and grand march.

Have you wondered how to teach an effective dance workshop? Come to this session and present your workshop ideas and questions, and we will have a discussion, which will include the presentation of a short workshop on contra basics.

Four folk musicians present their favorite reworkings of earlier songs. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, parodies are an integral part of the folk process.

Limited to the songs of the fishing and traveling people written by Ewan MacColl. Some historical background is included.

In the first edition of Playford, the majority of the dances were set dances for two, three, or four couples, with only one-third of the dances longways for as many as will. Set dances offer lots of choreographic variety, and in this session we ll explore set dances both old and new.

Traditional Southern shaped-note singing from books *other* than the Denson revision of the Sacred Harp. We'll sing songs from the Cooper revision of the Sacred Harp, from oblong 7-shape books like Christian Harmony, and from the 7-shape "little books" that are at the heart of Southern Gospel music.

Folksongs and ballads are rich with stories of love won, lost, misplaced, unrequited, gone awry, happily-ever-after, or ended too soon. Kathy Westra shares some of her favorites, both traditional and contemporary, ranging from poignant to dramatic to just plain silly.

The Songs that Bind Us Together. Come lend your voice and join us on choruses when we host several NEFFA performers for a "Living Room" Singing Party.

The duo Ergo Canto ("therefore we sing") performs an eclectic mix of original, traditional, and contemporary folk songs accompanied by guitars, flute, fiddle, and more. Expect anything from Willie Dixon to O'Carolan, Leonard Cohen, or the sequel to Matty Groves.

Enjoy exciting and challenging dances of Russia, featuring the music and movements of the Cossacks. Each dance is accompanied by the beautiful and thrilling choral music from the region.Ê

Traditional French folk dances for all levels. Focus on Bouree, Mazurka and/or row dances of Brittany.

Traditional songs and ballads from the Anglo/American tradition with maybe something contemporary thrown in.

Blues moves from the early 20th century that will send you slinking around the dance floor!

Triple Spiral is an ensemble that fuse Celtic and European styles using unusual instruments such as hurdy gurdy, English bagpipes, dijeridu, viola and more. They sing in English, French, Breton and Scottish Gaelic. Their five part vocal harmonies have to be heard to be believed!

Turkish village music from Anatolia, Balkans and Caucasus played on the long necked instrument saz. We play Turkish folk music from previous Ottoman territories Crimea, Hungary, Balkans, Caucasus and Kerkuk (Iraq). This year, we will play Ottoman Balkan songs on the oud.

The Old Man sings stories about villains, beasties and drunken heartache. Accompanied by the Po' Buckra, the filthy talents he calls "friends," the Old Man makes a return to the art of storytelling through song.

Great balkan dances introduced at least 25 years ago. Expedient teaching for maximal dancing.

Join us for some tunes on piano, fiddle and flute from the New England contra dance tradition and their stories. We will include many tunes written by Bob McQuillen as well as some others that are traditional or contemporary.

Open-to-all-musicians and dancers. You will be participating in an event that has been a NEFFA tradition since 2001. You can play by ear or use the written musical notation that will be provided.

Nat Hewitt, Liza Constable and their kids play traditional fiddle tunes and waltzes for dancing.

Come join us to sing and play music from English rural churches, from the time of Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen, and King George III. For all voices and melodic instruments.

Talk about and songs from the large number of mentors and sources who have brought me to where I am with this music. Extension of the workshop from 2008.

This class will enable you to partner drumming with songs, dance, movement, storytelling, and theater arts. Bring your favorite drum, or play one of Bob's. You'll take away simple skills to: play musical percussion sounds; use spoken word to invent rhythms; lead others at interactive drumming sessions in settings including education, eldercare, disabilities, social work, recreation, and healthcare. PARTICIPANTS OF THIS CLASS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PERFORM TOGETHER AS BOB BLOOM'S BAND "THE DRUM RIDERS" DURING HIS SESSION "FOLLOW THE PIED DRUMMER" IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE CLASS.)

Songs about work gone bad, or sometimes gone away completely. Work songs can celebrate or complain, but if you want to feel really good about your work, listen to some of these stories from the mines, the sea, or the fields.

This presentation will be traditional songs referring to work, trades, working conditions and attitudes toward work. Many songs will have choruses for all to sing.

Voices-on workshop for singers of traditional songs. Every aspect of singing: placement, power, narrative, decoration, diction, dialect -- all of it tailored to the needs of individual singers. Works for all levels of singers.

Bob McQuillen has composed more than 1,300 tunes-- reels, jigs, hornpipes, marches, waltzes... This session will feature Bob discussing how he goes about composing tunes.Ê

Sometimes called " Singing for the Confidence Impaired," this workshop features warm-ups, vocal techniques, simple songs and plenty of fun.

These sessions have become a true NEFFA tradition! Contra and square dancing to the music of a Contra dance band consisting of many Festival participants -- open to all 21 and under! If you'd like to join the band, there is no need to pre-register. Just show up with instrument in hand, and play! Conductors and lead musicians will be picking tunes from The Portland Collection and the New England Fiddler's Repertoire, both of which will be available to the Orchestra.

an exhilarating combination of waltz and pivot steps in the each dance - a NEFFA classic - usually addicting after one session

Zydeco is a spicy partner dance hailing from Southwest Louisiana. Come dance with us to some great hits! Check out the "Intro to Zydeco Dance" session during the preceding hour for some basic instruction.